How to Choose the Perfect Event Speakers to Wow Your Audience

Your event’s speakers can make or break it. The right speakers can keep your audience engaged, informed, and entertained. Discover how to choose the best speakers for your next event.

Event speakers are an important component of any successful event. They have the ability to inform, inspire, and entertain your audience, resulting in a memorable and impactful event. Choosing the right speakers, on the other hand, can be a daunting task because they are often the main attraction and can determine the success of your event. 

In this article, we will look at the most important factors to consider when choosing event speakers, such as their expertise, experience, and presentation and leadership skills. We will also discuss how to find and evaluate potential speakers, as well as how to negotiate their fees. By the end of this article, you will have the knowledge and tools necessary to choose the best speakers for your next event.

What an Event Speaker Is Capable Of

Event speakers can provide your event with a wealth of expertise, knowledge, inspiration and entertainment. They have the ability to engage and inspire your audience, as well as educate them on a specific topic or industry and provide valuable insights and perspectives. Here are some examples of what an event speaker can do:

• Many speakers are frequently chosen for their personal success and expertise in a specific field or industry. They can share their knowledge and experience with your audience, providing valuable insights and perspectives that will assist attendees in growing and learning.
• Providing entertainment: A skilled event speaker can also keep your audience engaged and interested by using humour, storytelling, and interactive activities. This can contribute to the creation of a lively and engaging atmosphere that keeps attendees talking about your event long after it has ended.
• Motivating and inspiring: Event speakers can be both motivating and inspiring, using personal stories and experiences to encourage your audience to act or make changes in their lives or businesses. This can be especially effective for personal development or business growth events.
• Event speakers can deliver key messages that align with your goals and objectives, whether you are hosting a corporate event or a non-profit fundraiser. They can aid in the communication of your brand’s values, the promotion of your products or services, or the raising of awareness for your cause.
• Engaging the audience: A skilled event speaker can engage the audience, build rapport, and create a connection that can help make your event memorable and impactful. They can involve attendees and keep them engaged throughout their presentation by using interactive activities, question and answer sessions, and other techniques.

Overall, event speakers can add a unique and valuable perspective to your event. You can create a memorable and impactful event that leaves a lasting impression on your attendees and audiences by selecting the right speaker for your audience and goals.

Expertise Counts: Select Motivational Speakers Who Have Relevant Knowledge and Experience

One of the most important factors to consider when selecting event speakers is their subject matter expertise. The speaker should be able to provide relevant insights, advice, and ideas to your audience and the topic of your event. If your event is about technology trends, for example, you should look for speakers who are experts in that field. If your event is focused on entrepreneurship, look for successful entrepreneurs who can share their insights and lessons learned. It is also important to consider the speaker’s level of experience. A seasoned speaker with years of experience will bring a unique perspective and level of expertise to the table than a first-time speaker.

Look for Speakers Who Can Engage and Entertain Your Audience

Another important factor to consider when selecting event speakers is their ability to present. The speaker should be able to engage and entertain your audience while effectively delivering their message. Look for speakers who can connect with your audience on a personal level and have a dynamic speaking style. The speaker should also be able to use visual aids, such as slides or videos, to enhance and personalise their presentation.

Assess the Speaker’s Credibility and Reputation

When choosing event speakers, it is critical to consider their reputation and credibility. You should select speakers who are well-known and respected in their field, as well as those who have a track record of delivering high-quality presentations. Look for speakers who have gotten good feedback and testimonials from previous events. You can also learn about the speaker’s personality and speaking style by researching them online, reading their blog posts, and checking their social media profiles.

Take into account the speaker’s availability and logistics

It is critical to consider a speaker or presenter’s availability and logistics before booking them for your event. Check that the speaker is available for your event date and time, and that they can travel to your event location. You should also talk about their technical needs, such as audiovisual equipment, and make sure they can deliver their presentation effectively in your venue.

Negotiating Keynote Speaker Fees: Budget-Friendly Strategies

Fees for event speakers can vary greatly depending on their level of expertise, experience, and popularity. Negotiating speaker fees early in the planning process is critical, as is being clear about your budget constraints. Non-monetary incentives, such as exposure and networking opportunities, can also be considered to attract speakers or companies who are interested in your event but have limited availability or budget.

How to Find an Event Speaker

Finding the right event speaker for your event can be difficult, but with some research and planning, you can find and hire the perfect speaker to make your event a success. Here are some pointers to consider when looking for an event speaker:

• Network within your industry: Begin by contacting your contacts in your industry and asking for recommendations for event speakers. Attend industry events, virtual events, conferences, and meetups, and take note of popular and well-regarded speakers. You can also seek recommendations from other event organisers or search for speakers on industry-specific websites.
• Make use of speaker bureaus: Speaker bureaus are organisations that represent a diverse range of speakers, such as industry experts, celebrities, and motivational speakers. They can assist you in locating and booking a speaker who meets your needs and budget. Speaker bureaus typically charge a fee in addition to the speaker’s fee, but they can save you time and effort in finding the right speaker for an upcoming event.
• Search engines and social media can be used to find potential speakers. Look for speakers who have an active online presence, such as a website, blog, or social media accounts. Speaker directories and booking platforms such as SpeakerHub, GigSalad, and SpeakerMatch can also be used to find speakers.
• Participate in speaker showcases: Speaker showcases are events where speakers demonstrate their abilities and present their ideas to potential clients. Attending these events can be a great way to observe and evaluate speakers’ presentation skills. You can also network with other event organisers to get speaker recommendations.
• Request references: Once you’ve identified potential speakers, request references from previous clients or events. Inquire with the speaker’s references about his or her presentation skills, professionalism, and ability to engage the audience. This can assist you in making an educated decision about whether the speaker is appropriate for your event.

When assessing potential speakers, consider their expertise, training, presentation skills, reputation, availability, and logistics, as well as their fees. You can ensure that your event is a success and leaves a lasting impression on your attendees by taking the time to find the right speaker.

Closing Thoughts on Choosing the Best Keynote Speakers for Your Event

Finally, selecting the right event speakers is critical to the success of your event. You can find speakers who will engage, inform, and entertain your audience, as well as make your event a memorable and impactful experience, by considering factors such as expertise, presentation skills, reputation, availability, and logistics. Remember to begin your search for speakers as soon as possible, as the best speakers often have full schedules and may need to be booked months in advance. You should also be clear about your expectations and requirements for the speaker, and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

In addition to these considerations, you may want to think about the diversity and inclusivity of your speaker lineup. Inviting speakers from various backgrounds and perspectives can add a unique and valuable perspective to your event while also making it more inclusive and welcoming to all attendees.

Finally, once you’ve decided on your speakers, make sure to collaborate closely with them in the run-up to your event. Provide them with all of the information and assistance they require to deliver a successful presentation, and make yourself available to answer any questions they may have. You can create an event that wows your audience and leaves a lasting impression on future, by working as a team.

Finally, because event speakers can make or break your event, they must be carefully chosen. You can find the ideal speakers to engage, inform, and entertain your audience by taking into account factors such as expertise, presentation skills, reputation, availability, and logistics, as well as diversity and inclusivity. Your event will be a memorable and impactful experience with the right speakers that attendees and participants will be talking about for months to come.

FAQs

What are event speakers called?

Depending on their area of expertise and the type of event they are speaking at, event speakers may be referred to as keynote speakers, guest speakers, show leaders, motivational speakers, or industry experts.

How much does it cost to get a speaker for an event?

The cost of hiring a speaker for an event can vary greatly depending on a number host of factors, including the speaker’s expertise, popularity, experience, and availability, as well as the event’s type, size, and location. Fees can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars, with some celebrity speakers charging even more. It is critical to set a budget for your event and select a speaker who fits within that budget while still meeting your needs.

How do I find speakers for events?

Networking within your industry, using speaker bureaus or directories, attending speaker showcases, searching online, and asking for recommendations from other event organisers, marketing or industry professionals are all ways to find speakers for events. When evaluating potential speakers, it is critical to consider factors such as the speaker’s expertise, reputation, presentation skills, availability, and logistics.

How much do public speakers charge per event?

The fees for public speakers vary greatly depending on their expertise, popularity, experience, and availability to speak next, as well as the type, size, and location of the event. Some speakers charge a flat fee, while others charge by the hour or by the day. Fees for celebrity speakers can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars or more. To avoid surprises or misunderstandings later on, it is critical to negotiate fees and discuss payment terms with the speaker up front.